January 7, 2023
Listen to Big Nash’s DJcity Podcast Mix
Big Nash is an open-format DJ and turntablist from Olbia, Sardinia in Italy. He's performed at some of the best clubs of Costa Smeralda and is a resident D...
Thursday 22 April 2021
Watch a Demonstration of Ableton Live 11’s Vinyl Synthesis Technology
Italian DJ/producer John Type has demonstrated Ableton Live 11 in a creative video.
Via vinyl synthesis, Type has innovated playing and sequencing a vinyl record like a synthesizer with the new features of Ableton Live 11. Vestax PDX-3000 and Technics SL-1210 turntables are impressively used to sync the beats of two distinctively different tracks to demonstrate the possibilities of vinyl synthesis. The Vestax PDX-3000 plays the melody of Daft Punk‘s 1995 single “Da Funk,” which morphs into the bass arpeggio of Donna Summer‘s 1978 classic “I Feel Love” because the analog pitch of the Technics SL-1210 changes the speed of the drums and Ableton Live 11 — via the Tempo Follower feature — stays in sync.
To pull off this impressive feat, a few pieces of hardware are required. Foremost, a turntable with MIDI pitch control — the Vestax Controller One / PDX-3000 or Reloop RP-8000 — is essential. An audio and MIDI interface is needed to connect the audio from the mixer and control the MIDI turntable. As well, a MIDI controller is key.
Ableton Live 10 Suite / 11 Standard requires MIDI Envelope, Utility, and Auto Filter plugins to allow for this work to occur. Plus, a vinyl with a synth tone in the locked groove — commonly found in Battle Breaks / DJ Tools is key to allowing this DJ skill to be performed.
The tools and skills he used in the demo are available for free on his website. Type has also included a detailed breakdown of how he accomplished this.
Watch the three-minute video above.
Follow John Type on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.
Related Post: Watch a Demonstration of Ableton’s Link Technology
